Mara Modes, Democratic Candidate for Borough Council in Hopatcong

General Information

Name : Mara Modes
Date of birth : 01 January 1970
Place of residence : Hopatcong, NJ

Education

College

Attended college : Yes
Degree : RN

Political Information

Party affiliation : Democrat
Running for a: Local office
Running for position: Borough council
Incumbent: No

Other facts

I have lived in Hopatcong for over 30 years, and attend municipal meetings on a regular basis, I have seen the borough government change dramatically by increasing its authority and reducing residents' involvement and participation in planning a future that serves the community, and strengthens the Borough of Hopatcong. Many Hopatcong residents volunteer unselfishly to protect, beautify, educate, and support the wellbeing of the young and old in the community. The reputation of our town has been marred by the lost of confidence in our local government. The checks and balances of the Hopatcong council appears to be lacking when we see allegations of ethics violations, conflicts of interest, restriction of public access to information, and the lack of diplomacy, communications and sensitivity that initiated a lawsuit. The poorly orchestrated actions on the reorganization of the Health Department gave the appearance of a hostile takeover of the Board of Health. Other poorly executed decisions by the current council have resulted in unprecedented and unchecked authority. Hopatcong needs their council to return to sharing in a high value system of ethics and moral conduct to regain the trust and support of the community. Long-term council positions apparently diminish the ability to govern effectively, fairly, and without bias. Checks and balances need to be implemented with new council members to regain lost confidence in our municipal government. Hopatcong deserves honesty, integrity, transparency and accountability. Our officers need to implement the best policy that provides long-term benefits to the people of Hopatcong. This is the most imperative task as a council member. Not quick grant money, patchwork repairs and the continuation of poor projects and programs that throw good money after bad. Because I believe, Democracy can only exist with informed citizens. As a council member I will work to increase transparency, accountability, and confidence in our municipal government by safeguarding the process our forefather's established to ensure our nation's democratic process and our Constitutional rights. It is these tenets that should be used in guiding our local government.

URLs

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mara-Modes-Hopatcong-Council-Candidate/287162851397172?ref=stream